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Warriors and Citizens: American Views of Our Military
A diverse group of contributors offer different perspectives on whether or not the different experiences of our military and the broader society amounts to a "gap"-and if the American public is losing connection to its military. They analyze extensive polling information to identify those gaps between civilian and military attitudes on issues central to the military profession and the professionalism of our military, determine which if any of these gaps are problematic for sustaining the traditionally strong bonds between the American military and its broader public, analyze whether any problematic gaps are amenable to remediation by policy means, and assess potential solutions.
360 pages, ebook
Published August 1, 2016
59 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Jim Mattis
5 books313 followersJames Norman Mattis (born September 8, 1950) is an American veteran and former government official who served as the 26th United States Secretary of Defense from January 2017 through December 2018. A retired United States Marine Corps general, Mattis served in the Persian Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 16, 2018
Be prepared to be overwhelmed with statistics. The book takes a unique approach in that ten different authors, called contributors, each wrote different chapters. The authors looked at different surveys, taken at different times, many using different phraseology for questions, to get a feeling of how the general public sees the present military.
Chapter 10, by Jim Hake, actually looked at personal stories about how Marines, stationed overseas, actually interacted with locals, on a personal basis, and helped improve their lives. One small village was supplied with sewing machines, so some women were able to start small, home-based businesses, sewing clothing. Another village was supplied with baseball equipment and the villagers were taught the fine points of baseball. In both cases, the villagers got to know the Marines and started passing along information on what was going on in the hills around the villages.
Chapter 6, by Nadia Schadlow, discussed four different traditions for going to war: Hamiltonian, Jeffersonian, Wilsonian, Jacksonian. You'll have to read the book to find out how the different traditions determine when and where the United States goes to war. Although, for some reason, the author never discussed the fact that sometimes, the enemy strikes first (Japan) or declares war (Germany), the descriptions do seem to fit the different wars fought during different administrations.
One interesting statistic, that really stood out to me, is most Americans think the military has 4 to 7 million men and women on active duty. Some people even responded with 8 million or more, but that was a small percentage. Since less than 2 million men and women are serving on active duty, or less than 1% of the population, most people don't have any idea how small the US military is, compared to the total population of this great country. It's an interesting read about how the US public in general views the military, it's also pretty dry and I can definitely recommend it as a cure for insomnia.
Chapter 10, by Jim Hake, actually looked at personal stories about how Marines, stationed overseas, actually interacted with locals, on a personal basis, and helped improve their lives. One small village was supplied with sewing machines, so some women were able to start small, home-based businesses, sewing clothing. Another village was supplied with baseball equipment and the villagers were taught the fine points of baseball. In both cases, the villagers got to know the Marines and started passing along information on what was going on in the hills around the villages.
Chapter 6, by Nadia Schadlow, discussed four different traditions for going to war: Hamiltonian, Jeffersonian, Wilsonian, Jacksonian. You'll have to read the book to find out how the different traditions determine when and where the United States goes to war. Although, for some reason, the author never discussed the fact that sometimes, the enemy strikes first (Japan) or declares war (Germany), the descriptions do seem to fit the different wars fought during different administrations.
One interesting statistic, that really stood out to me, is most Americans think the military has 4 to 7 million men and women on active duty. Some people even responded with 8 million or more, but that was a small percentage. Since less than 2 million men and women are serving on active duty, or less than 1% of the population, most people don't have any idea how small the US military is, compared to the total population of this great country. It's an interesting read about how the US public in general views the military, it's also pretty dry and I can definitely recommend it as a cure for insomnia.
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November 6, 2023one star. my boss made me read this. god, the things you do for a paycheck
August 20, 2018
What an interesting construct - the authors commissioned an extensive survey asking a multitude of Civil-Military flavored questions to Americans from all different economic classes, backgrounds, and political ideologies. They then had renown subject matter experts take apart the data within their area of expertise. For example, an author specializing (and widely published) on civilian control of the military would examine the data through that lens, while a different author would discuss something like voluntary versus mandatory (i.e. draft) service.
Warriors and Citizens discusses an important topic, but I’m not sure everyone would enjoy it. The book comes across as more of a college textbook than a novel and, even though it isn’t difficult to read, it does take perseverance (or a distinct interest in the topic) to finish. A page-turner it is not…
There are two main points that I found fascinating and compelling. First – civilian control of the military is nowhere near in jeopardy, due mostly to the professionalism of the modern (all-volunteer) force. Second – there is a widening gap between modern society and the active military, which could create problems eventually (with the worst case being a military that looks – and thinks – nothing like the society it protects). Not much imagination is needed to see why this could grow into a serious issue. Also, as an aside, the data found that the “most liberal” members of society (about 5%) have an outsized effect on the direction of society…this is also the group that least understands government and the military and roles therein (i.e. causing the gap to widen).
Warriors and Citizens discusses an important topic, but I’m not sure everyone would enjoy it. The book comes across as more of a college textbook than a novel and, even though it isn’t difficult to read, it does take perseverance (or a distinct interest in the topic) to finish. A page-turner it is not…
There are two main points that I found fascinating and compelling. First – civilian control of the military is nowhere near in jeopardy, due mostly to the professionalism of the modern (all-volunteer) force. Second – there is a widening gap between modern society and the active military, which could create problems eventually (with the worst case being a military that looks – and thinks – nothing like the society it protects). Not much imagination is needed to see why this could grow into a serious issue. Also, as an aside, the data found that the “most liberal” members of society (about 5%) have an outsized effect on the direction of society…this is also the group that least understands government and the military and roles therein (i.e. causing the gap to widen).
May 23, 2023
I think this book is very important to read, however, it is not easily digestible imo. It is a collection of thoughts and interpretation of poll data by several people familiar with the military.
The most important takeaways from this book is the need for civilians to educate themselves on the military.
Even after reading this book, I find it a bit difficult to articulate exactly the most pressing problems the military faces.
The US military has changed drastically since Vietnam. We don't believe in the draft, even if we do, most Americans are too out of shape to pass the basic army fitness test. Our military is now all volunteer and it is a tiny shrinking portion of the population. (1%) Overtime, they can become isolated from civilian society. The military holding itself most accountable in the civilian-military leadership is not a particularly good idea. Military Justice and ethics is fundamentally going to be different from civilian's idea of justice. The military is an organization that is given authority by its own government to kill people at the orders of civilian leadership. Their culture and rules should be different, we shouldn't force liberal ideas too quickly. They are capable of great violence and great good. When civilian leadership doesn't trust military advice, it can lead to bad policies getting Americans and other people killed in a losing/incoherent strategy.
The plethora of different issues that the military raises, unfortunately I do not see being addressed. I fear that the US military has a PR problem. In today's age, the blame game gets much more attention than a book attempting to solve real life problems.
The most important takeaways from this book is the need for civilians to educate themselves on the military.
Even after reading this book, I find it a bit difficult to articulate exactly the most pressing problems the military faces.
The US military has changed drastically since Vietnam. We don't believe in the draft, even if we do, most Americans are too out of shape to pass the basic army fitness test. Our military is now all volunteer and it is a tiny shrinking portion of the population. (1%) Overtime, they can become isolated from civilian society. The military holding itself most accountable in the civilian-military leadership is not a particularly good idea. Military Justice and ethics is fundamentally going to be different from civilian's idea of justice. The military is an organization that is given authority by its own government to kill people at the orders of civilian leadership. Their culture and rules should be different, we shouldn't force liberal ideas too quickly. They are capable of great violence and great good. When civilian leadership doesn't trust military advice, it can lead to bad policies getting Americans and other people killed in a losing/incoherent strategy.
The plethora of different issues that the military raises, unfortunately I do not see being addressed. I fear that the US military has a PR problem. In today's age, the blame game gets much more attention than a book attempting to solve real life problems.
June 26, 2025
This is certainly a statistically dense one. I would not recommend an e-version since it seems to cut the tables weird.
I think this is an interesting take, there are a lot of gems if you do wade through the dense material, but parts have aged interestingly given the significant changes in US politics over the 9 or so years since this was published.
I do appreciate the variety of perspectives that were included, including that some of the perspectives challenged each other's claims, it gives a great cross section of what political dialogue should look like.
I think this is an interesting take, there are a lot of gems if you do wade through the dense material, but parts have aged interestingly given the significant changes in US politics over the 9 or so years since this was published.
I do appreciate the variety of perspectives that were included, including that some of the perspectives challenged each other's claims, it gives a great cross section of what political dialogue should look like.
July 28, 2019
In examining the civil-military divide, Mattis and Schake argue that a nation is better off for knowing its military better. Through a collection of essays by guest writers (not always with their opinion), they examine the reasons for and solutions to this problem. Ultimately they demonstrate that wartime presidents (Lincoln, D. Roosevelt, Nixon, etc.) led by engaging the country with its military.
July 18, 2020
This book offers a data-driven analysis of civil-military relations for a variety of perspectives. Would recommend for anyone who is interested by a political science approach to understanding the current state of public perceptions of the military.
February 7, 2017
Yes, the one of the co-editors is the same Mattis who is the incumbent Secretary of Defense.
This volume compiles essays on survey-based research about the complex and contradictory relationship between civilians and the military. Among other trends, these surveys discern how there are high levels of civilian respect for the military, (especially when compared to political leadership), but also a broad lack of knowledge about how the military functions, much less the experience of war.
The demographic makeup of the military also tends to differ from popular stereotypes. The stereotype is that the military is primarily made up of Southerners and Midwesterners, but there's also a set of Californians just because of how many bases are situated there. The levels of education are also higher than the average American, partly because of the GI Bill and scholarships. In this regard, it's amazing to see how many people responded 'don't know' to so many of the survey questions. That in itself is one of the biggest takeaways of the book.
This volume compiles essays on survey-based research about the complex and contradictory relationship between civilians and the military. Among other trends, these surveys discern how there are high levels of civilian respect for the military, (especially when compared to political leadership), but also a broad lack of knowledge about how the military functions, much less the experience of war.
The demographic makeup of the military also tends to differ from popular stereotypes. The stereotype is that the military is primarily made up of Southerners and Midwesterners, but there's also a set of Californians just because of how many bases are situated there. The levels of education are also higher than the average American, partly because of the GI Bill and scholarships. In this regard, it's amazing to see how many people responded 'don't know' to so many of the survey questions. That in itself is one of the biggest takeaways of the book.
September 10, 2020
This is an authoritative read on civ-mil relations. A diverse panel of experts contribute to a complete body of work on the topic by examining the pertinent writings over time while being grounded by current research and subject matter experts.
The only reason I didn’t give this five stars is primarily because of my lack of scholarship on the topic; I was a bit overwhelmed in the middle of the book. For those less academically inclined, reading the first few chapters and the last chapter will provide a good understanding of the topic that is enhanced by the middle chapters.
A good and necessary read for all Americans.
The only reason I didn’t give this five stars is primarily because of my lack of scholarship on the topic; I was a bit overwhelmed in the middle of the book. For those less academically inclined, reading the first few chapters and the last chapter will provide a good understanding of the topic that is enhanced by the middle chapters.
A good and necessary read for all Americans.
March 23, 2017
Whereas the leaders who got the USA involved in Vietnam were tactical and not strategic thinkers. Mattis and his co-writers are strategic thinkers. Even when small minded people in the NSS demand tactical action based on a whim the writer demands strategic thinking. "Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are the only safe depositories." quote from T. Jefferson. Matttis argues for civilian-military interaction. This is a book for a thinking person. It is not a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews